I grew up in Bataan, a province at the edge of mainland Luzon. Our house then was just a 10-minute walk (or so) away from the shoreline. Anytime we felt like hitting the sea during low tide, we could easily do so. Now you’d think that growing up near the coastline made me a good, if not great, swimmer. Sorry to disappoint, but I never learned how to swim.

I recently watched Chasing Coral, a documentary I first heard about when I took a skin diving class. It’s an hour and a half long, and after seeing the documentary, it further strengthened the baffling thought at the back of my mind. A thought that has been bothering me every time I’d travel and witness how the environment has been changing. A thought that the corals so conveniently affirmed.

Mt. Pinatubo, known by many today as the ‘Beautiful Disaster’ due to its breathtaking caldera (crater), made news globally when it erupted in June 1991. Although a lot of Filipinos and even volcanologists worldwide are aware of the cataclysmic phenomenon it caused in the 20th century, some may only know the tip of the iceberg — or in this case, volcano. Not everyone completely knows about the events that transpired before, during, and after the eruption. Such extraordinary and powerful display of force of nature deserves everyone’s respect and attention.

As travelers, there are instances that we’d find ourselves in situations we never thought of or even imagined about. Totally unexpected, these experiences are the kinds that involuntarily arouse a specific set of emotions, or hit close to home. In this day and age, it’s almost always unavoidable that you’d chance upon circumstances that are utterly NSFW.

Despite being relatively young, certain spots in the province were witnesses to the Philippines’ rich history when Filipinos revolted against our colonisers aeons ago. Likewise, nowadays, the province is a favourite destination for the young generations who’d love to enjoy and experience a laidback chillaxing urban life away from the bustling metropolis.

Established in July of 2001 in Odaiba, Miraikan was opened to the public in the hopes that “it could become a place where we can understand the things happening in our world today from a scientific point of view, and have discussions while considering the future that awaits us.” To date, it remains as Japan’s most technologically advanced science museum that could compete globally in terms of groundbreaking scientific exhibitions.

From the beautiful disaster Mt. Pinatubo to the white-sand beaches with spectacular sunsets, which are the reasons why Zambales became a go-to place for beach and mountain adventures. Another reason why Zambales is a popular travel destination is due to its proximity to the country’s capital and likewise because it is studded with coves that are sure to give travelers a peaceful escape away from the metro. One of the must-see coves is Nagsasa Cove.